Grammar Glow

Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is used to talk about general truths, scientific facts, and things that are always true when the conditions are met.

Structure:

If + Present Simple, Present Simple

Examples:

If water reaches 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
If you heat ice, it melts.
If it rains, the ground gets wet.

Usage

The zero conditional is primarily used in the following contexts:

1. General Truths and Facts:

It expresses situations that are always true and can be proven.

Examples

If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

2. Scientific Facts:

Used to state scientific facts or laws that hold true universally.

Examples

If you freeze water, it turns into ice.

3. Habitual Actions:

Describes habits or routines that happen as a result of certain conditions.

Examples

If you touch a flame, it burns.

4. Instruction and Rules:

Commonly used in instructions and rules where one action leads to another.

Examples

If you press this button, the machine starts.

Examples in Context

Weather:

If it gets too hot, we turn on the air conditioning.

Cooking:

If you add salt to water, it boils faster.

Safety:

If you see a stop sign, you must stop your vehicle.

Summary

The zero conditional is a straightforward way to express facts, general truths, and habitual actions. It emphasizes the relationship between cause and effect, making it a useful structure in both written and spoken English.

Zero Conditional Structure:Examples:Usage Examples in Context Summary